Mandela (Madiba)
A day of history A day that will never be forgotten. The day Nelson Mandela was released from prison. That day South Africa was on everyone’s lips. The story was rewritten on that specific day (not good with dates, so sue me for not remembering the exact date, but the footage is still fresh).
Nelson Mandela stepped onto the world stage in a big way. A man of honor and dignity, a man with a heart for the people. This man had every reason to hate and blame, but instead he showed up and started building a beautiful future for South Africa.
No Bush or Clinton, no Queen or Prince on this earth did more to try to unify, not just South Africa but the world.
Some South Africans, for political reasons, tried to “hate” (more like disgust) him, but he made it very difficult for them. Even at the ripe old age of 90, closer to 91 (July 18, 2009), he remains the statesman of the world and the father of South Africans. The man who made long-sleeved shirts fashionable in South Africa and brought us a distinctive dance; Madiba’s chatter.
Madiba, joined us wherever he went. In 1995, the country watched the rugby world cup as a unit and rejoiced together in the streets when the Springboks (South Africa) won. He brought us the magic of Madiba on the sports fields of the world. I never really liked football, but that feeling of unity made me watch that historic match in 1996 when South Africa (Bafana Bafana) won the Africa Cup of Nations.
One day it will be gone (that day South Africa and the world will stop) but it will never go away. Obama, you have a decision to make.
Want to experience the magic of Madiba and learn the Madiba jive, then South Africa is your destination.
Long live MADIBA!
Soccer World Cup 2010
Danny Jordaan, you made us so proud. I wish I could describe the feeling of warmth, joy and pride I felt and still have in Afrikaans, my language, when South Africa was announced the winner of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. I believe that God is on our side as South Africans. You did a great job and I know you still have sleepless nights, but you see every difficulty as a challenge to show the world that we’ve made it big. When I saw on the news that the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is almost ready, it was confirmation that everything is on the right track.
You deserve a year of paid vacation after the world cup. I’ll have to talk to the next president of the country, the Reverend Kenneth Meshee, to take care of it.
Bafana Bafana, now is your time to shine. You showed us in 1996 that you are a force to be reckoned with. Granted, there was a long and very worrying depression, but it has given us hope back. Just play game by game and put South Africa first. Well, Reverend Meshe can’t give you a year’s vacation when you win because the Premier Soccer League and FIFA will fight him tooth and nail, but I know you’ll get some very big bonuses.
No pressure? Yeah, no pressure, I can’t help but dream. Just go out there and make us proud.
With the Confederations Cup approaching in a few months, you have the opportunity to play against the big shots of soccer. Use your opportunity well.
The only problem I have with the 2010 World Cup is that we as a nation asked God, in a big stadium, to give us favor with the auction, but we never thanked him in the same way when the winners were announced. I hope we can correct that soon. South Africa will be blessed even more when we bless God.
Thanks, Dad.
Nations of the world, we are waiting for your arrival. Are you ready for an African experience like you have never dreamed of? Book now your plane, accommodation and seats.
migraines
This morning as I watched Morning Live, a two-hour current affairs and news show, I realized that we are a nation to be reckoned with. When I turned on the television, Leanne was talking to a professor about migraine headaches and the innovative surgical procedure being performed in South Africa. Apparently people are flying in from different continents to get this procedure done.
Let me make two possible announcements.
1. “South Africa, we took away your headaches. Book your flight now, you’ll never take a headache tablet again.”
2. “Is your husband giving you a terrible headache? Fly to the land of the sea, the sun, the wildlife, the luxury accommodations, the friendly people and the Evita party. We will take away your headache and we will give you a new husband. Men, you can have the same experience.”
hearts
Years ago, when I was still a boy, we gave the world Dr. Chris Barnard, the cardiac surgeon. He performed the first heart transplant at Grootte Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.
What progress! It remains a mystery and a miracle to me. We thank God for giving us the wisdom and knowledge to be able to perform such wonders.
Do you need a new life? South Africa will not only give you a new life but also a new heart. Having joked about it, I can also see the spiritual significance of a new heart. So many times people would say you need a change of heart that it somehow lost its power. Forgive me, when I think of something I have to say it. I’m not a writer with a flow of ideas. I’m just Steven D, which he sees and says.
People of the world, don’t we all need a new heart? Aren’t we tired of wars, hate and tyranny? Our hearts need to return to their Maker.
Rugby
Two times world cup champions. The Springboks are our proud export. England, Australia, New Zealand, France and others, envy us? Please don’t answer me, I might regret asking that question.
Under the spell of Madiba’s magic we won the world cup in 1995 and twelve years later we did it again. I know that the United States and some other countries are not known for their rugby, but they have other sports codes that they excel at.
So if you are in one of those countries and want to experience the gees (spirit) of rugby, Newlands in Cape Town or Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria are the place to be.
Peter De Villiers, train those guys, the next world cup is just around the corner. You are two years old.
Cricket
Proteas (South Africa National Cricket Team) you did us proud. Why are Australians so quiet? We want you to come and visit our country and experience our hospitality, but we’re not sure how to offer that without a smile. Please, we have nothing against Australians, it is only on the cricket ground that we know we are meeting our greatest enemy.
When he visits South Africa for the second leg of the cricket tour, we’ll be on our best behavior, except when Ponting hits a six. Don’t expect to hear cheers when that happens. Outside the sports field we will give you all our love.
With all of that said, remember, we’re also looking for the #1 spot in the testing field. He brings his flags and kangaroos, but don’t ask for mercy, you won’t get it.
This week, the SA Open tennis tournament is back with a bang. We have some of the best golf courses in the world. Surfing is big in South Africa. We had our share of world champions in the boxing world. Do you have all that in your country?
Well, you don’t have a Desmond Tutu!
